Comparison of anthropometric and cephalometric measurements of the adult face

To tabulate and assess quantitative differences between anthropometric and corresponding radiographic cephalometric measurements obtained from the sam e persons, 19 projective linear measurements were taken from the surface of the heads and faces of 41 patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, all of whom were white North Americans aged 14 to 29 years. They underwent radiographic examination shortly afterward, and corresponding cephalometric measurements were obtained. Differences between the methods were assessed by the numeric differences between the mean values of concurrent measuremen ts. Statistical difference was assessed by paired t test, Pearson product-m oment correlations, and intraclass index for degree of agreement between fi ndings. By numeric difference, 6 of 19 anthropometric measurements were sim ilar to (within 2% of) those taken from radiographs. Paired t tests disclos ed significant differences between 16 of 19 measurements. Half of the six s urface measurements similar to their skeletal counterparts showed no statis tical difference; the other half showed only moderately significant differe nces. Differences between the 13 "dissimilar" measurement pairs (difference s >2%) were highly significant. Good correlations were found in five of the six similar measurements, which may have an important prognostic value in understanding changes in the craniofacial measurements of the face. Knowled ge of the correlations between all major measurements of the head and face on the surface and skeleton is essential for anticipating changes in the mo rphologic characteristics of the growing face.